Kathy Sheehan arrives to the stage to deliver a speech in front of supporters at the Albany Pump Station after winning the Albany mayoral primary race on Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2013 in Albany, N.Y. Sheehan was running against Corey Ellis. (Lori Van Buren / Times Union) less

Kathy Sheehan arrives to the stage to deliver a speech in front of supporters at the Albany Pump Station after winning the Albany mayoral primary race on Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2013 in Albany, N.Y. Sheehan was ... more

Albany mayor elect Kathy Sheehan, center, is greeted by outgoing Mayor Jerry Jennings, right, as she makes her way through supporters on her way to give her victory speech during the Albany County Democratic Committee party at Polish Community Center on Tuesday Nov. 5, 2013 in Albany, N.Y. (Michael P. Farrell/Times Union) less

Albany mayor elect Kathy Sheehan, center, is greeted by outgoing Mayor Jerry Jennings, right, as she makes her way through supporters on her way to give her victory speech during the Albany County Democratic ... more

Mayor Jerry Jennings welcomes runners before the start of the Workforce Team Challenge run on Thursday, May 16, 2013, in Albany, N.Y. (Cindy Schultz / Times Union)

Mayor Jerry Jennings welcomes runners before the start of the Workforce Team Challenge run on Thursday, May 16, 2013, in Albany, N.Y. (Cindy Schultz / Times Union)

Photo: Cindy Schultz

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City glass ceiling shattered

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• This is the seventh article in a series counting down the Top 10 local stories of 2013.

What happened: Kathy Sheehan cruised into the mayor's office with more than 80 percent of the vote this November, becoming Albany's first new mayor in two decades and the first woman to hold the city's highest office in its 327-year history. Her fundraising efforts and support base paved the way for a progressive coalition of political allies to also take seats in the Common Council.

Why it mattered: Mayor Jerry Jennings has been fully immersed in his role as city ambassador since he took office in 1994, and as he exits, the political makeup of the city will significantly shift.

Sheehan, a native of Illinois who was raised in Ohio, is the city's first non-native mayor in recent history. She's also a wife, mother and corporate career woman with a leadership style that has yet to be seen. Sheehan's victory shattered a glass ceiling in the city, and exactly how her experience as a female might, or might not, influence her management of the city will be interesting to watch, especially since research suggests women lead quite differently than men, usually with more inclusiveness. Some studies even suggest they are more likely to take risks.

What they said:

"When you look at where the support is and you look at who is able to energize a base and get them to the polls ... it was the group of candidates that, in prior races, would have been looked at as outsiders."

— Sheehan after she and all five of the Common Council contenders she endorsed won their primaries in September.

"We're seeing a real momentum here ... We need more women in leadership roles. I think we bring a different and important perspective."

— Sheehan on women's political roles after winning the general election.

What's next: Can Sheehan fulfill the vows of her campaign? She promised a more efficient, streamlined government, and spoke about her support for progressive social issues, but only time will tell how Albany's new mayor will change the city for residents.